This seat?
Nine thousand years old!
The Ninth Prince has returned!
Yuan Yao was overjoyed and called out in her childish voice, "Daddy!"
A figure in red, holding a bone umbrella painted with koi fish playing among lotus flowers, slowly floated down from the sky.
"Father!" Yuan Yao ran over happily.
The Ninth Prince wore a bright red outer robe, with rouge applied to his lips and the corners of his eyes. Despite the vibrant color, it made him appear even more aloof and handsome, to the point that it was impossible to tell his gender.
He held the umbrella and picked up Yuan Yao with one arm: "Little Yao, did you miss Daddy?"
"think!"
Yuan Yao wrapped her arms around the Ninth Prince's neck, so moved she almost cried.
The Ninth Prince lowered his eyes, about to speak, when his expression suddenly changed.
He threw down the umbrella in his hand and, by the dim candlelight, coldly asked, "What happened to your face?"
Face?
A look of confusion flashed across Yuan Yao's face.
Then she realized what had happened.
The slap mark on her face from Tan Xin hadn't faded yet!
She hugged the Ninth Prince's neck tightly and coaxed him in a childish voice, "It was just a slap, Yao'er doesn't feel any pain anymore, Daddy, don't be angry."
Did someone slap you?
The Ninth Prince flew into a rage: "Who slapped me? I'll go and chop him up right now!"
His movements were too large, pulling on a part of his body, and he frowned slightly.
Yuan Yao didn't see it, but the emperor did.
The emperor spoke up: "A-Yuan? You...are injured?"
"Nonsense!" the Ninth Prince interrupted him sharply.
The emperor shrank back slightly: "A-Yuan, don't be angry, I'm just worried about you."
"Worried about me?"
The Ninth Prince's gaze shifted and landed on the Emperor.
He then realized that the emperor was somewhat different from before.
The swelling has subsided, I've lost some weight, I'm more upright, my skin is fairer, and even those unsightly eye bags have diminished considerably.
He seemed to have become five years younger.
The Ninth Prince's eyes flickered.
How many years has it been since he's seen an emperor like this?
The emperor also noticed the way the Ninth Prince was looking at him.
He coughed lightly, straightened his chest, raised his head, and looked expectant: "A-Yuan..."
The Ninth Prince frowned, lowered his eyes, and looked at Yuan Yao: "Who exactly slapped your face?"
“She is a palace maid serving the Empress Dowager,” Yuan Yao replied obediently.
She knew that this matter couldn't be kept secret anyway.
If the person who hit her isn't identified, I'm afraid everyone at the birthday banquet will be affected...
"Empress Dowager?" Upon hearing this name, a hint of disgust flashed in the eyes of the Ninth Prince: "I almost forgot, today is the Empress Dowager's birthday!"
I brought her a congratulatory gift, and it arrived just in time.
The old man touched Yuan Yao's small face with his long, slender fingers: "Dare to touch my people? You're asking for death!"
Yuan Yao opened her eyes wide and pursed her lips.
She couldn't help but want to tell the truth.
Actually, she used more force in that slap.
However, Tan Xin really wanted to hurt her...
We will not attack unless attacked.
She cannot be a pushover, allowing herself to be manipulated by others.
When necessary, she should strike first!
Yuan Yao wrapped her arms around the Ninth Prince's neck: "Father, before you came back, the Emperor had already taught that palace maid a lesson on my behalf."
"Is a lesson enough?" The Ninth Prince's gaze shifted to the Emperor's face.
The emperor quickly replied, "Don't worry, A Yuan, I'll go and kill her right away!"
The Ninth Prince sneered: "Now that I'm back, there's no need for the Emperor to take action."
When the alluring Ninth Prince, dressed in red, carried Yuan Yao into the banquet hall of Renshou Palace, everyone was momentarily stunned.
Isn't the Ninth Prince involved in disaster relief?
Why did you return to Beijing?
Moreover, no one received any news that he was going to return to Beijing early, right?
Could it be... that he came back specifically to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday?
As soon as the Ninth Prince stepped into the main hall, everyone bowed in unison: "Greetings, Ninth Prince."
After speaking, he turned to the emperor who was following behind the Ninth Prince: "Greetings, Your Majesty..."
The emperor's face was grim, and his expression was gloomy.
He said in a hoarse voice, "Guards, add a seat for the Ninth Prince."
A group of eunuchs immediately sprang into action, adding a seat for the "Nine Thousand Years Old" next to the emperor's throne.
The Ninth Prince embraced Yuan Yao, flicked his magnificent red outer robe embroidered with large clusters of peonies in gold thread, and took his seat.
His eyebrows reached his temples, and his eyes were cold: "I am late and have spoiled the fun for all of you."
"Bring this person up to add some fun to the banquet!"
people?
Who is it?
What kind of entertainment is this?
Could it be that the Ninth Prince brought back a great beauty on his disaster relief mission?
Many people looked around.
Li Deshan flicked his whisk and instructed the little eunuch beside him, "Go, bring the person here."
Meanwhile, the palace servants served the young master wine, dishes, and desserts.
Another palace maid brought forward a bowl of water: "Your Majesty, please wash your hands."
The Ninth Prince lowered his eyes, raised his sleeves, washed his hands with clean water, and then washed Yuan Yao's small hands as well, slowly drying them.
When others are good-looking, their movements are pleasing to the eye as they do these things...
No one dared to breathe.
Seeing that the atmosphere had become extremely cold, Yuan Yao stretched out her fair and tender little hand, picked up a piece of milk cake, and offered it to the Ninth Prince's lips.
She said in her childish voice, "Daddy must be starving after rushing all the way back to the capital. Eat up."
The Ninth Prince raised the corners of his lips and opened his mouth.
Seeing that the Ninth Prince had finished a piece of milk cake, Yuan Yao smiled so much that her eyes narrowed: "Daddy, is it sweet?"
The Ninth Prince smiled faintly: "Not as sweet as my dumplings."
Yuan Yao: "..."
ah!
My face is so hot!
Father actually said she was sweet!
Yuan Yao blushed and buried her head in the Ninth Prince's arms like an ostrich: "Father is teasing Yao'er!"
The Ninth Prince smiled silently.
These days, in Huaishui City, looking at the raging flood, he worries about Yuan Yao all day long.
The floods in the Huai River were extremely severe, and when he was busy, he worked day and night.
He rarely received any news from the capital.
There was always an emptiness in his heart.
Now, with the sweet, soft little dumpling in his arms, his heart is finally filled.
All my worries can finally be put aside.
The injury on my arm is throbbing again...
The Ninth Prince frowned slightly and said to the crowd in the hall, "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Look at you all! Could it be that while I was away from the capital, you've done something terribly wrong?"
"Your Majesty is joking..."
"We dare not..."
"We are also worried about Your Majesty's safety..."
A cacophony of voices filled the hall.
The Nine Thousand Years Old remained noncommittal.
He gently pinched the small dumpling on Yuan Yao's head with his slender fingers and said lightly, "Since there's nothing to do, eat and drink as you please, don't be so formal."
The officials raised their glasses in unison: "To His Majesty the Emperor."
The Ninth Prince held his wine cup and took a small sip.
Soon, the Imperial Guards escorted Tan Xin into the main hall.
The Ninth Prince lowered his wine cup and asked Yuan Yao, "Was it her who hit you?"
Yuan Yao nodded: "Mm!"
"Very good!" The Ninth Prince placed her on the cushion and stood up.
On the ground, Tan Xin stared at the person walking towards her, her face pale: "No, no..."
The Ninth Prince sneered, used his fan to hook Tan Xin's chin, and asked, "Which hand did you use when you hit Xiao Yao'er?"
Tan Xin trembled: "This servant did not intend to hit Princess Yuan Yao..."
"You won't admit it?" The Ninth Prince's gaze turned cold.
Tan Xin flinched, her teeth chattering, her voice slurred: "It wasn't me... it was Yuan Yao, she pulled my hand over!"
Yuan Yao... she's very cunning..."
"Snap!"
The crisp sound of bones breaking echoed in the hall.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com